England is currently under National Lockdown restrictions. It is therefore vital that we all play our part in limiting the spread of coronavirus by:
- Following the National Lockdown restrictions
- Getting tested and isolating if you or your staff have symptoms
- Remembering Hands, Face, Space
Please visit the Government’s website on National Lockdown guidance for the latest information on restrictions and exemptions.
|
|
|
London sees a 62% increase in registered businesses compared to last year: London has seen an unexpected but welcome surge in new businesses. The wave of ‘COVID’ entrepreneurs was most apparent in London and the South East. In London, 199,949 new businesses were incorporated at Companies House, an increase of 62% over 2019, when 123,615 registered. Click here to read about the research on the London Loves Business website.
NatWest doubles Female Entrepreneurship Funding: The NatWest group announced a fund of £1 billion last month dedicated to supporting female-led businesses in the UK. The bank also committed to help create an additional 35,000 businesses by the end of 2021. Please click here to read the London Loves Business article.
Prepare and Protect: Last week the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) announced that the threat to the UK from terrorism was being downgraded from 'Severe' to 'Substantial.' While this is a reduction in the threat level, it still means that a terrorist attack in the UK is still a distinct possibility. It’s important that we do not become complacent or think that the national security threats have gone away. There are some simple steps you can take to help safeguard your staff, customers and your business.
- Be Informed – There are packages available that will provide free awareness training and are available from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Counter Terrorism Protect Officers – you’ll learn about what suspicious behaviour may look like, and more vitally what to do with that information! To book a session, contact the team by sending an email to PSOArea2@met.pnn.police.uk
- Be Prepared – Having plans in place that are tested and that all your staff are familiar with, will help your business respond to any emergency or incident.
- Be Alert not Alarmed – Remain vigilant and report any concerns to the police.
This link will take you to the Council's advice page on preparing your businesses for emergencies.
|
|
Reinventing the nation’s high street:
We've announced ambitious new plans to revive Oxford Street. Our new Oxford Street District (OSD) framework will breathe a new lease of life into the District.
On Tuesday, February 16, The Leader of the Council, Councillor Rachael Robathan, unveiled the blueprint to reinvent the high street for a post-pandemic recovery and for the longer term. The new framework builds on previous work and represents our significant commitment to the area. The plan was already in development pre-pandemic but now also responds to massive changes to shopping habits and working patterns, that have been accelerated by COVID-19.
To find out more about the framework and vision for the OSD, click here to visit the website for the project.
|
|
|
Free Support for your Digital Transformation: We’re continuing our popular digital skills training series. Join these sessions for expert advice and training to support your business as you digitalise, generate online sales and deliver goods or services during lockdown:
These training opportunities are designed to aid high street businesses in generating sales online as national movement restrictions continue. Spaces are limited and fill up fast, so book your place today.
|
|
|
|
Support for your Business
|
|
|
Free Property Advice Service webinars: The London Business Hub is offering a series of free webinars and masterclasses that can assist and guide you on topics such as business rates, lease negotiations and much more. View upcoming webinar dates and find out more about the programme.
|
|
Covid Business Loans: The British Business Bank has announced further details of their 'Pay As You Grow' scheme, which enables businesses that have started repaying their Bounce Back Loans to:
- request an extension of their loan term from six years to 10 years, at the same fixed interest rate of 2.5%
- reduce their monthly repayments for six months by paying interest only, available up to three times during the term of their Bounce Back Loan
- take a repayment holiday for up to six months, available once during the term of their Bounce Back Loan
To read about this scheme in detail, please click this link to view the British Business Bank's website.
|
|
|
Skills and Training Fund for small and micro-sized construction businesses: The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Skills and Training Fund aims to help small and micro construction companies to deliver high quality learning and development experiences to employees. The fund can empower your business to access CITB grant-eligible training. Click here to view the CITB web page for the skills and training fund.
|
|
|
ISCF Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Demonstrators - EoI: UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £16 million for bold and ambitious demonstrator projects in smart and sustainable plastic packaging. This funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. Applications are currently open, and close on 24 March 2021. To find out more about the funding or make an application, click here to view the GOV.uk website.
|
|
Abbey Road Studios - The Incubator: The Incubator is an innovation incubation programme, individually tailored to each business or start-up that signs up. The goal is to support and empower entrepreneurs and innovators in the field of music technology.
Since the launch of the initiative three years ago, it has incubated 13 businesses, which between them have raised near £18m and have a collective valuation of more than £71m. Visit the Abbey Road website page for The Incubator to find out more about the programme.
|
|
|
For more information on the ways Westminster City Council, the UK Government and the community can help, please follow the links below:
Whilst we are dealing with a greater volume of queries than usual, if you need bespoke advice, don’t hesitate to contact our Business Unit to get appropriate help. |
|
|
|
|
